Which statement best describes VLE?

• A. It defines the maximum speed with the landing gear extended
• B. It defines the maximum speed with the landing gear retracted
• C. It defines the maximum speed with the landing gear up and locked
• D. It defines the minimum permitted speed on landing

Answer: (A)

VLE is the maximum speed at which the airplane may be flown with the landing gear extended. When the gear is down, drag increases and the gear, doors, and associated structures are subjected to loads that are only rated up to a certain speed. Exceeding that speed risks gear/door damage, overheating the gear system, or loss of control authority due to the extra drag. So the statement describing the maximum speed with the landing gear extended is the correct way to define VLE.

The other descriptions refer to different configurations. Maximum speed with the landing gear retracted isn’t VLE because that’s the clean configuration limit, not the gear-down condition. Maximum speed with the landing gear up and locked also describes a different, clean configuration limit. Minimum permitted speed on landing points to stall or approach speeds, not to the speed limit when the gear is extended.